Checkpoint Dedicated to Three Who Died At The Hands of Impaired Driver

By Garin Flowers; Tallahassee Police Department&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Fri 11:49 PM, Mar 15, 2013&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Fri 11:50 PM, Mar 15, 2013

Updated By Garin Flowers: March 15, 2013

One by one, Tallahassee Police checked cars on the 700 block of North Gadsden Street. It was all a part of a DUI checkpoint.

All three sisters of Shakeila Vickers were at the checkpoint. Shakeila, her son Vincent and Vincent's friend Tyler Biggins, all died in a car crash last March.

Police said a man impaired with a synthetic drug was driving 70-plus miles per hour when he rear-ended their vehicle.

"Be safe, think before you drive," said Arlinda McCray, sister of Shakeila.

"Always keep in mind that if you just make certain decisions, they can affect your life forever," said Delicia Garrett, also a sister of Shakeila.

It was at the intersection of Monroe and Tennessee streets where the accident occurred. The man who police said caused it was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The driver, Christopher Generoso, was emotional in court and apologized for what he had done. Vince Vickers, the husband of Shakeila and father of Vincent, was the only survivor of the crash.

"My family is gone and I have to live with that for the rest of my life," Vickers said.

"We are still coping with it on a day-to-day basis, but each day gets a little better," Garrett said.

The victim's families are now hoping to turn a tragedy into a way to prevent others from experiencing the same pain.

Press Release: Tallahassee Police Department

This evening, the Tallahassee Police Department will be hosting two safety and sobriety checkpoints in the Tallahassee area. The first checkpoint will run from 9:00pm to 10:00pm and will be in the 700 block of North Gadsden Street (Midtown). This checkpoint will be dedicated to the memory of Shakeila Vickers, Vincent Vickers, and Tyler Biggins. All three lost their lives last year on St. Patrick’s Day at the hands of an impaired driver in Tallahassee.

The second checkpoint will be held from 11:00pm until 12:00am and will be at 2200 North Meridian Road.

The checkpoints are used for the purpose of detecting drivers who are too impaired to operate a motor vehicle, vehicles with faulty equipment, and those drivers operating a vehicle without a valid license.

The checkpoints will be well marked by signage, marked patrol vehicles, and uniformed officers. The checkpoints are designed to have a minimal impact on traffic flow and to save lives.

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